Australia’s position and future engagement with the US Embassy in Jerusalem

Australian aid to Palestinians

Australia’s language on the Smart Traveler website about Palestine

24 May, 2018, House of Representatives, Maria Vamvakinou MP (Labor, VIC), speech honoring Al Nakba and Recognition of PalestineOne hundred and thirty-eight countries have already recognised the State of Palestine, and it’s surely now time for Australia to do the same. It’s time to put into place our long-held policy of a two-state solution. It’s important to do so because it’s the right and decent thing to do. This issue is a moral imperative for all who believe in the sanctity of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Now is the time to realise that the window of opportunity for a two-state solution is rapidly closing, and we are running out of time for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

24 May, 2018, House of Representatives, Susan Templmean MP (Labor, NSW), speech about Palestine and GazaMy visit showed me that the expansion of the Israeli settlements on the West Bank and in the Old City of Jerusalem is a serious matter. The demolition of Palestinian homes built without permits, because permits can’t be issued, is a catch 22. The treatment of Bedouins, who have been relocated from their land to unproductive tracts of land, is just awful. The fact that Bedouin community schools and sanitation, funded by the European aid that comes in, are demolished is an outrage.

In late December, 16yr old Ahed Tamimi was dragged from her bed in the middle of the night, and is currently in a military prison inside Israel, denied bail. She is one of hundreds of Palestinian children who face military courts by Israel, courts which have an over 99% conviction rate. UNICEF has called on Israel to stop the “widespread, systematic and institutionalised abuse” which happens to Palestinian children in Israel prisons.Continue reading →